The Main Causes of Right Side Abdominal Pain (Extensive Guide)

Right side abdominal pain can describe any kind of sharp, dull, aching, or painful feeling in the area between the top of your pelvis to your lower chest. Pain in the right side of your abdomen may be accompanied by nausea, bloating, digestive problems, and cramping. The right side of your abdomen contains organs like the gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, right kidney, liver, and part of your small intestine.

Thankfully, most symptoms associated with right-sided abdominal pain are nothing to worry about and don’t last long.

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Right Side Abdominal Pain: Common Causes and Other Symptoms

For example, pain on the right of your abdomen caused by gas or indigestion can cause, sharp nagging aches. However, sometimes, dull aches that become more intense, or sharp cramping pains in the right side of your belly that don’t go away could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Reproductive organs like the right ovary and part of the uterus are located in the lower right abdomen of women. Cramping pain connected with the menstrual cycle can be felt on just the right side of the lower abdomen if the right ovary is ovulating or if there are cysts.

Even though aches and pains in the right abdomen are usually harmless, there are times when you shouldn’t ignore the constant discomfort. Cramping pain along with other symptoms can be a cause for worry.

Symptoms accompanying right side pains in your abdomen that need medical attention are:

In this article, I am going to examine the different reasons why pain can occur in the upper right abdominal area or in the lower right abdomen. You will also find out about causes of right-sided abdominal pain that only affect men or women.

Internal organs in the abdomen

Organs on the Right Side of the Abdomen

On the right side of your abdomen you can find some of the most important internal organs in your body:

Liver and gallbladder – Your liver lies under the ribcage on the right side of your stomach and the gallbladder is right under the liver. Gallstones or infection around your liver can cause sharp, right-sided pain below your ribs on the right side of the abdomen.

Part of the stomach, intestines, and colon – Part of your stomach, intestines, and colon are also located on the right side of your abdomen. The last part of your colon is located in the lower right side of the abdomen. If you have any digestive problems, the digestive-related pain might be felt on the right side.

Appendix – You appendix is another organ on the right side of your abdomen that can cause right-sided pain. Sometimes, inflammation or infection can cause appendicitis which will result in severe pain the lower part of your belly.

Women’s reproductive system – Part of the reproductive organs in women are located on the right side of their body. The right fallopian tube and ovary are found in the pelvic area are just below the right side of the belly button. Therefore, it quite common that premenstrual syndrome, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis can be a reason for right-sided abdominal pain in women.

Organs on the Right Side of the Abdomen

Right Side Abdominal Pain: Common Causes

Unfortunately, abdominal pain on the left side or right side can affect all of us. Most of the time, aches, pains, and discomfort in the right abdomen are not symptoms of anything serious.

Because some types of right side abdominal pain can be serious, it’s important to know where the pain is coming from and how to describe the pain. According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet, doctors divide the abdominal area into four areas or quadrants. The upper right abdominal area or right upper quadrant (RUQ) is the part of your upper body below the right chest and above your navel. The right lower quadrant (RLQ) or lower right abdominal area is below your navel and above your right pelvis.1

It is also important to recognize the type of pain and describe it properly. According to doctors from the National Institutes of Health, types of pain that you can feel in your abdominal area include:2

Cramping pain

Mild to severe cramping

Gnawing aches

Sharp, shooting pains

Stabbing pain

Throbbing pains

Jabbing aches

Tenderness

For example, many women who have right side abdominal pain during their menstrual cycle describe the pain as cramping aches in the lower belly or pelvis. Pain associated with kidney stones or gallstones could be like sharp shooting pains that come and go. However, trapped gas can also cause similar stabbing or jabbing pains.

Let’s look at some of the most common causes of right side abdominal pain.

Trapped gas

Trapped gas is one of the most common reasons why you could have a sharp aching feeling in your right abdomen. Part of your small intestine and colon are on the right side of your middle abdomen, and gas can put pressure on the surrounding muscles.

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Doctors from Johns Hopkins Medicine say that gas is caused by bacteria that break down certain foods in the colon. It is actually estimated that the average person passes gas around 14 times a day. If gas collects on the right side of the colon, the resulting sharp pain may be mistaken for appendicitis or gallstones.3

According to the doctors from the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms of trapped gas include:4

Indigestion

Dr. Jay Marks who specializes in gastroenterology reports that indigestion can be the result of various gastrointestinal issues. Another cause of abdominal pain caused by indigestion is the buildup of bacteria in the small intestine. However, the most common symptom of indigestion is upper abdominal or chest pain.5

Heartburn

A related condition of indigestion is heartburn. Heartburn causes burning feelings in the upper chest as well as abdominal discomfort.

Heartburn is often referred to as acid reflux and is also associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Dr. Melinda Ratini on WebMD says that heartburn causes upper abdominal pain because the acid from the stomach escapes up the esophagus.

Shingles

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and can cause a burning pain and tenderness in either side of the abdomen. Usually, only one side of the upper body is affected, not both at the same time.

According to medical information published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research, pain in the upper body caused by singles can feel like acute abdominal pain. This usually precedes a rash that appears on the affected area of the body.6

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that other symptoms that accompany shingles can include:7

Upper Right Abdominal Pain: Common Causes

Gallstones

Your gallbladder is located in your upper right abdomen just below your ribcage. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder if you have high cholesterol or there is an obstruction in there. A gallbladder infection or bile duct blockage due to gallstones can cause pain in your upper right abdomen area. The pain associated with a gallbladder attack can come on suddenly and feel very intense.

If you have severe upper right quadrant pain that gets worse and doesn’t go away, you should visit your doctor for the best treatment.

Pancreatitis

The head of your pancreas is located on the right side of your upper abdomen. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can cause persistent right-sided abdominal pain.

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Doctors from Cedars-Sinai say that pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones, drinking large amounts of alcohol, certain medications, or high-fat content in your blood (high triglycerides). This results in varying degrees of upper right abdominal pain.10

Other symptoms of pancreatitis are:

Upper belly pain that radiates to your back

Rapid pulse

Stomach pain that is worse after eating

Tenderness in the upper right abdomen

It’s important to eat a healthy diet and avoid excess alcohol to help keep your pancreas healthy. Pancreatic problems have also been associated with one of the causes of type 2 diabetes.

Bowel obstruction

Bowel obstructions can be a result of underlying health issues and can cause sharp pains in the right side of your abdomen.

According to Dr. Christy Hopkins from the University of Utah School of Medicine, pain from bowel obstructions often happens on the right side. This is because the right colon has a larger capacity and lesions in the right colon that can grow quite large.11

Doctors from the Cleveland Clinic report that possible causes of intestinal obstructions are:12

Lung issues

Medical issues with your right lung can result in sharp stabbing upper abdominal pains on the right side. Some common problems with the lungs that cause chest pain are pleurisy, pneumonia, or a collapsed lung.

Pleurisy. When the fluid in the protective membranes around your lungs become inflamed, the result can be sharp upper chest pains. Doctors from the National Health Service say that the first sign of pleurisy is sharp chest pains on the side of the affected lung. Accompanying symptoms of pleurisy can be pain in your shoulder, shortness of breath, or a dry cough.14

Pneumonia. A viral or bacterial infection can affect your right lung or left lung or both at the same time. Researchers from PubMed Health say that one of the symptoms of pneumonia is mild to severe chest pains. A serious case of pneumonia will have signs of high fever, coughing up phlegm, vomiting, or diarrhea.15

The journal Respiratory Medicine Case Reports reported that some types of pneumonia can also cause lower right abdominal pain.16

Pneumothorax (collapsed lung). A right lung collapse or left lung can happen for a number of reasons. Dr. John Cuhna on eMedicineHealth says that one of the symptoms of a collapsed lung is sharp stabbing chest pains that are worse when breathing deeply. The pain may also radiate to the back or shoulders.17

Lower Right Abdominal Pain: Common Causes

The lower right abdominal area just above the pelvis contains organs like the appendix, colon, and part of a woman’s reproductive system. Although the kidneys are located in your upper torso, kidney-related pain if often felt in the lower abdominal area (lower right quadrant or LRQ).

Appendicitis

However, in many cases, the first symptom of appendicitis is pain around your belly button. This is usually intermittent pain that feels like a deep aching feeling. Doctors from the National Health Service say the pain then travels to your lower right-hand side and becomes more intense. Then the pain becomes a constant severe ache causing a great deal of discomfort.18

Other symptoms that can accompany appendicitis include:

Tenderness and pain when you press on the lower right abdomen

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea or constipation

Inability to pass gas

Fever

Appendicitis can quickly become a medical emergency. If you have any of the symptoms of an inflamed appendix, you should seek medical help immediately.

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Diverticulitis

LRQ pain associated with appendicitis can often be mistaken for a condition called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is when small sacs or small pockets develop in the colon and become inflamed.

According to the Yonsei Medical Journal, the right lower quadrant pain can be a common symptom of diverticulitis. This often happens in your lower right abdomen because most of your colon is found there. Right-sided pain from diverticulitis usually occurs in people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. Pain in the lower left abdomen is also a symptom.19

If diverticulitis is causing pain in the right side of your abdomen, you will most likely also have the following symptoms:

Kidney stones

A buildup of mineral deposits in your right kidney can result in kidney stones and cause severe right-side flank pain. Your kidneys are located in the middle of your back under the ribcage. The excruciating abdominal pain from kidney stones can be felt anywhere from your middle back to your groin.

Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet says that kidney stones can cause cramping pain in the abdomen, low back, or groin. The pain can be intermittent and come in waves of varying severity. Many say that kidney stone pain can be even worse than childbirth pain.20

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Men and women can suffer from lower abdominal pain on either side if they have a urinary tract infection. UTIs develop if bacteria enter your urinary tract and can cause inflammation and pain anywhere from your genitals to your kidneys.

Dr. Trina Pagano on WebMD says that pain in the lower abdomen just above your pelvis is a common symptom of a UTI.22 Also, according to medical information published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the typical signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:23

Right Side Abdominal Pain in Men Only

Let’s look at the 2 most common causes of abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen that only affect men.

Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion describes the condition where one of the testicles rotates in the scrotum and cuts off the blood supply to the scrotum. If the right or left testicle twists, then you will feel pain in the genitals and lower abdomen.

According to emergency medical consultant Dr. Timothy Rupp, the most common symptom of testicular torsion is severe scrotal pain that radiates to the lower abdomen. You may also have nausea and vomiting from the intense pelvic pain.24

You should see a doctor immediately if you have sudden testicle pain as testicular torsion is a medical emergency.

Inguinal hernia

Although inguinal hernias can affect anyone, they are more common in men than women. Inguinal hernias cause lower abdominal pain when part of the small intestine pushes through the inguinal canal in the groin.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases report that an inguinal hernia will cause a noticeable bulge in the lower abdomen. Other symptoms of an inguinal hernia are:25

Pain or discomfort in the groin that gets worse if you strain, lift something heavy, or exercise

Burning sensation or constant aching in the groin

Enlarged scrotum

If the lower abdominal pain suddenly gets worse and you have a bulge in your groin, you should seek medical help promptly.

Right Side Abdominal Pain in Women Only

There are many conditions that cause pain in the right abdominal area of women.

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Endometriosis

Endometriosis can cause pain on either side of the lower abdomen or pelvic area depending on which side is affected. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus and can intensify the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Doctors from UCLA Health report that the abnormal endometrial tissue causes lower abdominal pain and cramping. This happens because it contracts and bleeds along with the uterus during the menstrual cycle.

Apart from pelvic pain, other symptoms of endometriosis can include:

Pain just before or just after the period

Pain while having a bowel movement

Pain when passing urine

Bloating

Constipation

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Ovulation

Some women experience lower right side abdominal pain when they ovulate mid-cycle. The side of the cramping pain usually depends on which ovary releases the egg. Painful ovulation is also referred to as “mittelschmerz” (which is German for “middle pain”).

Doctors from the Victoria State Government says that other types of pain associated with ovulation include:26

Lower abdominal cramping about 2 weeks before your next period

The pelvic pain can switch sides each month or it can stay on the same side for a few cycles.

Ovarian cysts

Sudden sharp pains in your lower right abdomen could happen if you have ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are normal during the menstrual cycle and many women don’t show signs of ovarian cysts.

According to obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Wayne Blocker, the cysts on the ovaries become painful if they grow or rupture. This can result in symptoms like lower abdominal or pelvic pain. For some women, the pain can be intermittent, for others the pain is sharp and sudden.

Pelvic congestion syndrome

Pelvic congestion syndrome is another cause of abdominal pain in women that can affect either side of the pelvis. The reason for the pelvic pain is that veins in the pelvis become dilated and twisted, just like varicose veins. 36, 37

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infections and inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries can cause right side abdominal pain in women. Pelvic inflammatory disease can be the result of a sexually transmitted infection when bacteria affect the reproductive organs.

According to Dr. David Soper, who is an obstetrician and gynecologist, the most common symptom of a pelvic inflammatory disease is pain in the lower abdomen. The symptoms of PID are usually noticed at the end of the menstrual period.

If you have any signs of a vaginal infection, you should see your doctor for a checkup.

Right Side Abdominal Pain in Women Due to Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you will experience cramping and lower abdominal pains due to hormonal changes and the baby growing. Let’s look at some of the common reasons for abdominal pains during pregnancy and when the symptoms require medical attention.

Growing baby

It is natural that as your baby grows, changes in your uterus will result in some mild abdominal pains that don’t last long.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the abdominal pain might only happen when you sneeze or cough. This kind of light pelvic pain is common during the first trimester. If you experience anything more than mild, occasional cramping or you have unusual discharge at the start of pregnancy, you should speak to your healthcare provider.29

Round ligament pain

During pregnancy, it is normal to have occasional sharp jabbing pains during your second or third trimester. This is a condition called round ligament pain.

Gynecologist Dr. Traci Johnson explains that the round ligament connects the uterus to your groin. The round ligament stretches as the womb grows. Dr. Johnson says that round ligament pain usually affects your right lower abdominal area and is caused when ligament tightens quickly.30

Reasons why you may get sudden spasms of pain in your lower belly include:

Braxton Hicks contractions

One reason for lower abdominal cramping towards the end of your pregnancy is Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor.

According to Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet, the dull aches in your lower abdomen can feel like labor contractions. However, unlike contractions associated with childbirth, Braxton Hicks contraction pain doesn’t come at regular intervals. They may feel more like menstrual cramps and create a tight sensation across the lower abdomen.31

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a potentially serious complication of pregnancy that can result in lower abdominal pains.

OB/GYN Dr. Traci Johnson says that preeclampsia happens because the placenta stops functioning properly for some reason. The warning signs of preeclampsia are:32

During your pregnancy, it’s important to get good prenatal care so your healthcare provider can regularly check blood pressure and look for other signs of preeclampsia.

Ectopic pregnancy

Another serious cause of right side abdominal pain or left side pains in the abdomen with vaginal bleeding is an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fetus grows outside of the uterus.

According to Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet, the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually occur 6-8 weeks after the last menstruation. Some of the symptoms are similar to a regular pregnancy like:33

However, more serious complications include internal bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies are viewed as a medical emergency. If you notice any symptoms that you might be pregnant and have abdominal cramping and irregular vaginal bleeding, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Miscarriage

Another complication of pregnancy that causes sharp abdominal cramping and possible vaginal discharge is a miscarriage.

According to doctors from the National Health Service, symptoms of a possible miscarriage include:34

Painful cramping in your pelvic area

Unusual vaginal discharge or bloody fluid

The signs of being pregnant like morning sickness or breast changes disappear.

Sharp Pain in the Right Side of the Abdomen

The most common reasons for experiencing sharp lower abdominal pains on your right side are:

Appendicitis

Gallstones

Kidney stones

Trapped gas

Pleurisy

Collapsed lung

Testicular torsion

Painful ovulation

Round ligament pain

Ovarian cysts

Miscarriage

When to See a Doctor about Right Side Abdominal Pain

Thankfully, most cases of abdominal pain on the right side, even an occasional sharp pain in your abdomen, is nothing to worry about.

Because some types of right side abdominal pain can be a symptom of something serious, doctors from the Mayo Clinic advise seeing your doctor in the following cases:

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